Nominations for 2017 Human Rights Tulip now open

News item | 13-03-2017 | 00:00

Nominations for the 2017 Human Rights Tulip open today. Until 24 April, anyone can nominate a candidate. Nominations can be made by filling in the nomination form.

The Human Rights Tulip is the Dutch government’s human rights award. The Minister of Foreign Affairs will present the prize and the bronze tulip-shaped statue to the winner around December 10, International Human Rights Day. ‘At a time when human rights are under pressure, support for human rights defenders is more important than ever,’ said minister Koenders. ‘Human rights defenders are struggling to improve human rights every day. They are heroes.’

The Human Rights Tulip is awarded annually to courageous organisations or individuals that promote human rights in innovative ways. The aim is to put their valuable work in the public spotlight. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs works with Justice and Peace to select and support the winner.

The prize money is €100,000, of which €25,000 is dedicated to training and €75,000 to improving and expanding the work of the winner. The prize money enables the winner to further develop or expand the scale of their human rights work, benefiting more people, in as many places as possible.

The 2016 Human Rights Tulip has been awarded to the Pakistani internet activist Nighat Dad. Ms Dad is a staunch defender of digital rights and the importance of protecting women and girls and marginalised groups on social media.